A spokesman for the Detroit-based American Axle & Manufacturing (AMM) indicated it was a fire, not an explosion as originally reported, at its Oxford Twp. facility May 1 that caused a worker to sustain burns so severe he had to be airlifted to a Detroit hospital for treatment.

“The machine did not explode,” explained AAM Spokesman Chris Son. “There was a fire and that's basically what happened in terms of general details.”

Oxford firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to MSP Industries (45 W. Oakwood Rd.), which is owned by AMM, to aid Josh Quinlan, 27, of Lapeer, who had suffered second and third-degree burns over approximately 70 percent of his body as a result of an industrial accident.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s report, Quinlan was operating a hydraulic forge press when it “exploded” and he “caught fire.”

Son wanted to make it very clear there was no explosion.

“The machine caught fire,” he said. “The press is still intact.”

Quinlan ran into the office where his supervisors “took him into the shower area” and “put him under cold water,” the sheriff's report stated.

Quinlan was treated by Oxford paramedics until a helicopter arrived and transported him to Detroit Receiving Hospital.

According to the website www.joshquinlan.net, Quinlan was last reported to be out of surgery and in stable condition.

A Facebook prayer chain for Quinlan, who’s a 2003 graduate of Lapeer East High School, was established to offer support to him and his family. As of Tuesday, the page had 1,692 members.

Family and friends are asking that Get Well cards be mailed to Josh Quinlan, 3479 Farnsworth Rd., Lapeer, MI 48446.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is investigating the accident.

“We're conducting our own investigation to determine the root cause,” Son noted. “Obviously, MIOSHA is conducting an investigation as well because there was an incident in a manufacturing working environment.”

Son indicated these hydraulic presses are “pretty big” in terms of size.

“What we do from a metal forming perspective is press and mold parts,” he explained. “When you think about the required force to press steel, the presses need to be pretty big.”

In terms of height, Son said these presses are two to three times the size of an average person and “they're pretty heavy.”

“A big press can't really explode,” he noted.

Despite the accident, operations at MSP Industries are continuing.

“The plant is not shut down,” Son said. “The plant is still running and producing parts.”